Multimodal endovascular reperfusion therapies: adjunctive antithrombotic agents in acute stroke

Abstract

Pharmacologic and mechanical endovascular acute ischemic stroke therapy aims to recanalize occluded cerebral vessels to achieve improved clinical outcome. Several limitations to achieving this goal have been identified; one of the least discussed challenges in the literature is reocclusion. The intraprocedure and periprocedural roles of anticoagulation and antiplatelet agents in preventing reocclusion are unclear. In this review, the role of antiplatelet and anticoagulation agents as an adjunctive to acute ischemic stroke endovascular revascularization therapy is discussed.